Department for Transport

Motor Vehicles: Testing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department takes to ensure that MOT tests are being conducted to a satisfactory standard.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supervises the MOT scheme on behalf of the Department. The DVSA authorises testers to conduct MOTs. All testers undergo strict training to become an authorised tester, and must pass an annual assessment to retain that authorised status. The DVSA uses data analysis, intelligence and inspection visits to carry out targeted checks on garages and testers to ensure testing is conducted in accordance with the MOT inspection manual. The DVSA ensures that MOT tests are conducted to a satisfactory standard by observing MOT tests, mystery shopper exercises, re-inspecting recently tested vehicles and surveillance operations.

Airlines: Insolvency

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Airline Insolvency Review interim report, published by his Department on 12 July 2018, if he will make it his policy to (a) take steps in response to the final findings of the report and (b) take steps to set up a comprehensive model of insolvency and repatriation protection for consumers.

Jesse Norman: The Airline Insolvency Review is an independent review commissioned by government following the collapse of Monarch Airlines in 2017. Publication is expected in the coming months. Once the report is published, the Department will consider the recommendations of the review and take steps accordingly to ensure a strong level of protection for consumers in the event of airline failure, with minimal impact to the taxpayer.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how his Department will measure progress towards the target for all new vehicles to be effectively zero-emission by 2040.

Jesse Norman: By setting long term ambitions for 2040 and 2050, the Government has sent a clear signal for the UK’s direction of travel to provide industry and consumers with certainty on the transition to zero emission vehicles. The Government’s Road to Zero strategy, published in July, set out that by 2030 we want to see at least 50% and as many as 70% of new car sales being ultra low emission, alongside up to 40% of new vans. We expect this transition to be industry and consumer led, supported in the coming years by the measures set out in the Road to Zero strategy. There is significant uncertainty over some of the key drivers of the transition – including battery technology and new mobility services. The Government will be actively tracking market developments, looking at key factors such as uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, deployment of infrastructure, and consumer issues. We will review momentum towards our ambition by 2025, and will consider what interventions are needed if not enough progress is being made.

Department for Transport: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what was the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) his Department, (ii) the Office of Rail and Road, (iii) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (iv) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, (v) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (vi) the Vehicle Certification Agency, (vii) the British Transport Police Authority, (viii) Directly Operated Railways Limited, (ix) High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, (x) the Civil Aviation Authority, (xi) London and Continental Railways Limited, (xii) the Air Accident Investigation Branch, (xiii) Highways England, (xiv) the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, (xv) Network Rail and (xvi) the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The information is provided in the table below. Table – cost of electricity and natural gas used, 2015/16 – 2017/18 (some figures rounded) Body2015/162016/172017/18(£) Fully built up (delivered) cost unless indicated otherwise. Inclusive of VAT unless indicated otherwise.ElectricityNatural GasElectricityNatural GasElectricityNatural GasDfT (Central Department)540,61029,803538,75034,135556,29232,341Office of Rail and Road (1)69,769.44Not available83,218.70Not available86,448.29Not availableDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency1,870,000867,0001,837,000657,0001,993,000570,000Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (2)1,163,636327,967998,114330,2641,141,902343,470Maritime and Coastguard Agency (3)1,662,671.26106,181.921,604,049.3638,102.681,331,501.34215,486.98Vehicle Certification Agency (4)48,949.182,410.8460,671.675,392.4155,301.894,517.84British Transport Police Authority and British Transport Police (5)1,037,961.6475,405.271,181,823.3777,636.171,168,793.9757,351.93Directly Operated Railways Limited000000HS2 Ltd (6)310,01246,671473,07526,330321,79341,828Civil Aviation Authority397,56445,370365,73551,556350,66350,613London and Continental Railways Limited (7)Not availableNot availableNot availableNot availableNot availableNot availableAir Accident Investigation Branch (8)20258.45036,828.27024,343.710Highways England (9)27,000,000100,00028,500,000150,00030,600,000290,000Marine Accident Investigation Branch (10)Not availableNot availableNot availableNot availableNot availableNot availableNetwork Rail412,000,0001,959,000,000417,000,0002,078,000,000437,000,0002,169,000,000Rail Accident Investigation Branch11,019.875,542.4310,238.805,369.535,188.7114,212.35Notes:(1) Only the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) Glasgow office uses natural gas. The landlord does not provide an individual usage figure as ORR is one of many tenants.(2) Gas/electricity component cost only.(3) Due to a supplier billing issue, a significant proportion of gas costs from 2016/17 were paid in 2017/18.(4) Information to verify whether the costs for Vehicle Certification Agency sites are fully built up costs or component costs only is not readily available.(5) The figures include costs for the British Transport Police Authority and the British Transport Police as separate figures are not readily available.(6) Figures are for calendar year. Figures are net of VAT. Some of the properties utilised by HS2 Ltd do not (or did not) have separately identifiable costs as these are (or were) included in the utilities charge, service charge or licence fee, and consequently are not included in these totals.(7) London and Continental Railway (LCR) occupies space at One Kemble Street under a Memorandum of Terms of Occupation (MOTO) from the Government Legal Department (GLD). As part of the MOTO arrangements GLD recovers a service charge from LCR. This includes electricity and gas, but the costs and quantum used are not identifiable on an individual basis.(8) Electricity component cost only.(9) Electricity figures include roads lighting and other infrastructure assets throughout the Strategic Road Network.(10) The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is located in Spring Place, Southampton. This building is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Utility supplies to the building are not separated out by organisation. Approximately 20% of the energy consumption for Spring Place is attributable to MAIB. The figure shown for MCA (which includes other buildings) therefore includes a proportion that could be attributed to MAIB.

Northern: Compensation

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of compensation payments made by Network Rail to Northern Rail as a result of disruption to the infrastructure network in 2018.

Andrew Jones: Compensation payments made by Network Rail to Northern Rail as a result of disruption to the infrastructure network in 2018 are governed by the contractual agreements between Network Rail and the operator and are therefore a matter for them and not the Department.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Military Intervention

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the proportion of Saudi-led coalition air strikes in Yemen that hit non-military targets in September; and what proportion he considers indicative of a risk that those air strikes are being conducted indiscriminately.

Alistair Burt: We cannot make a meaningful estimate of this proportion given that the UK is not a member of the Saudi-Led Coalition. We do not have any role in setting Coalition policy, or executing air strikes in Yemen. We continue to emphasise to all members of the Coalition the vital importance of compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL), press for action to address the humanitarian crisis, and encourage all parties to engage in the UN-led political process in good faith.The UK regularly encourages Saudi Arabia to conduct thorough and conclusive investigations into reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian law. We continue to believe that Saudi Arabia has the best insight into their own military procedures, in line with the standards we set for ourselves and our allies.

Tanzania: Genito-urinary Medicine

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in Tanzania on restrictions recently imposed on access to medical care for HIV-positive men and women in government-run sexual health clinics in that country; and what steps the UK Government is taking to help safeguard the provision of such services by alternative means in that country.

Harriett Baldwin: We are not aware of any new restrictions currently imposed by the Government of Tanzania on access to medical care for HIV-positive men and women in government run health clinics in Tanzania. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our High Commission in Tanzania remains in regular contact with government officials, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Medical services and programmes should be accessible, non-discriminatory and equitable for all.

Ukraine: Elections

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the plans of separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine to hold elections on 11 November 2018 represents a breach of the Minsk Accords; and what steps the Government plans to take in response to such elections in the event that they take place as planned.

Sir Alan Duncan: The illegitimate "elections", that took place on 11 November in the non-Government controlled territories of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic" and "Donetsk People's Republic" in the Donbas contravene the commitments made under the Minsk Agreements and violate Ukrainian law.The EU condemned these illegitimate "elections" on 10 November. In a statement on 12 November, the UK condemned these elections as part of Russia's continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are carefully considering an appropriate response with international partners.

Yemen: Counter-terrorism

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the Government provided to the Government of the United Arab Emirates in respect of that Government's counter-terrorism operations in Yemen in (a) 2016, (b) 2017 and (c) 2018 to date.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not provide assistance to the Government of the United Arab Emirates on counter-terrorism in Yemen in 2016, 2017 or 2018.

Sudan: Military Attachés

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2018 to Question 185485 on Sudan: Military Attachés, whether the UK Government recognises the Rapid Support Forces as a legitimate part of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Harriett Baldwin: The Rapid Support Forces Act of January 2017 removed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the command of the National Intelligence and Security Service and set out that Sudan's president would appoint directly the commander of the RSF. The British Government acknowledges the links between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, including the hosting of RSF personnel at Sudanese Armed Forces facilities, but seeks where possible to avoid active engagement with the RSF.

Algeria: Elections

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the 2019 Algerian presidential election is free and fair.

Alistair Burt: The UK is aware that presidential elections are due to be held in Algeria in 2019, and is following developments. A number of aspects remain unclear. As a general policy the UK provides financial and technical assistance to international organisations that carry out election observation missions, in particular the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Commonwealth.

Burundi: Politics and Government

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in Burundi on the failure of that Government to attend the fifth and final round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue in Tanzania between 25 and 29 October 2018; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for a resumption in talks between that Government and the opposition in Burundi on resolving the political crisis in that country.

Harriett Baldwin: I met with the Burundian Foreign Minister at UNGA and stressed the importance of Burundi participating in the latest round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, so it is disappointing that they did not attend.The British Government continues to support the process, noting the importance regional actors play in enabling an inclusive dialogue, with all parties. We call on the Burundian Government to remain committed to resolving the political crisis.

Azza Soliman

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on the (a) detention and (b) interrogation of Azza Soliman, the Egyptian human rights activist and co-founder of Lawyers for Justice and Peace.

Alistair Burt: We have followed Azza Soliman's case closely, as well as the related Foreign Funding case. We understand that Ms Soliman was released on bail, pending further investigation, in December 2016. On 6 December 2017, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon highlighted Ms Soliman's case in his speech at an Amnesty International Human Rights Day event. UK officials raised the Foreign Funding case with the Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights on 18 April 2018. On 18 September 2018, we made a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in which we expressed concern about the "arrests of activists, bloggers and journalists".

Department for Education

Teachers: Pay

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data his Department holds on the number of teachers on the (a) main, (b) upper, and (c) leadership pay scales at school level.

Nick Gibb: Holding answer received on 12 November 2018



The Department holds information on the number of teachers in England in each pay range at a school level.The following table provides the number of regular teachers in service in state funded schools who are on the (a) main, (b) upper and (c) leadership pay ranges in England in November 2017. Number of regular teachers in service in state funded schools who are on the main, upper and leadership pay ranges in England in November 2017 Leadership Pay RangeMain Pay RangeUpper Pay RangeOther [1]UnknownTotalEngland[2]69,521170,910177,94145,47036,070499,912Source: School Workforce Census Academies are not obliged to use the pay ranges required in LA-maintained schools, though many academies use similar pay.  [1] Includes leading practitioner and unqualified pay ranges.[2] Excludes centrally employed staff.

TBAP Multi-academy Trust: Pensions

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there has been a delay in the TBAP Multi-Academy Trust making contributions to the pension schemes of its employees.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is aware of historical delays in payment of TBAP Trust’s pension contributions due to poor financial management and controls. The ESFA has intervened and in August 2018, issued the trust with a financial notice to improve. We have been informed that all pension payments are now up to date.

TBAP Multi-academy Trust: Cambridge

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the TBAP multi-academy trust rented a residential property in Cambridge.

Nadhim Zahawi: The TBAP Trust has informed the Education and Skills Funding Agency that between March and May 2016, the Trust entered into a rental agreement for a residential property to be used by staff who were deployed to support the setup of their Cambridgeshire branch.

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Private Sector

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to increase the number of private prisons.

Rory Stewart: The Government is committed, as set out on the 26 June at the Justice Select Committee and in the 2017 manifesto, to building up to 10,000 modern and decent prison places to replace old, expensive and unsuitable accommodation. This was reaffirmed by the Chancellor in the 2018 Budget, committing the Government to delivering the first two new prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva through public capital. Funding routes will be explored, including through private investment, for the delivery of the remaining prison places. The financing models, timetable and costs for these will be dependent on the relevant value for money and affordability tests, planning permissions and commercial negotiations. We believe in a balanced approach to custodial services provision, which includes a mix of public, voluntary and private sector involvement. This approach has been shown to work, providing excellent services for the public and value for money for taxpayers.

Legal Aid Scheme: Human Trafficking

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing providing legal aid support to potentially trafficked people to ensure that they are able to make an informed decision on whether to enter the National Referral Mechanism.

Lucy Frazer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 November 2018 to question 188251.

Accidents: Scotland

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which organisation (a) undertook investigations and (b) ensured mandatory compliance with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights before the establishment of the Fatal Accident and Sudden Deaths (Scotland) Act 2016.

Rory Stewart: This is a devolved issue and is therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Department for International Trade

Game: Exports

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to promote the export of British game meat.

Graham Stuart: The Department for International Trade supports exports for the whole of the food and drink sector and in 2017 game meat exports were worth £7 million. Game meat exports receive the same level of support as the rest of the food and drink sector through initiatives such as the GREAT campaign and the recently launched Export Strategy. We also work with a variety of food and drink trade associations to ensure that the Government is providing the right kind of support. We will continue to use the UK’s reputation for high quality food and drink, with high standards of traceability and sustainability further increasing overseas demand for our products.

Overseas Trade: Developing Countries

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the UK’s trading arrangements with developing countries.

George Hollingbery: The Department for International Trade and the Department for International Development are working closely together to put global prosperity at the heart of the UKs future trade and development policy and to shape our future trading arrangements with these countries. Our first priority is to deliver continuity in these trading arrangements as we leave the EU, which is why the UK is seeking to replicate the effects of the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries. The Act also enshrines into UK law the commitment contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals to provide duty free quota free trade access for Least Developed Countries. The UK trade preference scheme will, as a minimum, provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme by granting duty-free, quota-free access to 48 Least Developed Countries and by granting generous tariff reductions to around 25 other developing countries.

Trade Agreements

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department plans to undertake (a) gender, (b) human rights and (c) sustainability impact assessments for future trade agreements.

George Hollingbery: The UK takes very seriously its obligations and priorities on gender equality, human rights and sustainability via, amongst other mechanisms, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Paris Agreement, the agreement of the UK’s Fifth Carbon Budget in July 2016 and actively supporting the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment at the World Trade Organization in 2017. My Rt Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for International Trade, made a Statement to the House of Commons in July in which he committed the Government to publishing scoping assessments for any proposed new free trade agreement prior to the beginning of negotiations and publishing impact assessments of any concluded agreement prior to ratification. The impact assessments will be consistent with the Government’s impact assessment process for new legislation, which considers environmental and social impacts where appropriate. These impact assessments will give due consideration to the effects of the concluded trade deals on different groups, including gender groups, in line with our requirements under the Equalities Act.

Arms Trade: Exports

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what ethical considerations are undertaken by his Department in relation to the sale of arms and munitions to other countries; and what steps his Department takes to vet the award of arms export licences.

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what types of munitions and arms have been traded to Saudi Arabia in each year since 2016.

Graham Stuart: The Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) of licences granted and refused for military exports on GOV.UK, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data Export licence applications are carefully assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. A licence would not be granted if to do so was inconsistent with the Criteria. The policy remains as announced to parliament in a Written Ministerial Statement on 25 March 2014 (https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140325/wmstext/140325m0001.htm#14032566000018) and updated with an additional policy, as announced in a Written Ministerial Statement on 13 September 2018 (https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-09-13/HCWS957/).

UK Trade with EU

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the economic importance of the UK’s trade with the EU.

George Hollingbery: In 2017 the UK’s total trade, in goods and services, with the EU totalled £617.4 billion or 49.1% of total UK trade. The US was the UK’s largest single country trading partner accounting for £176.9 billion or 14.1% of total trade.

Arms Trade: Exports

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he has taken to protect arms exports after the UK leaves the EU.

Graham Stuart: The government’s Export Strategy addresses how government will maximise the impact of work for UK businesses and the UK economy across all sectors. In relation to defence exports, the Department for International Trade (DIT) supports the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) which aims to secure a competitive, sustainable and globally successful UK defence sector. The UK has a track record of success in its defence industry, achieving defence orders worth £9bn in 2017 and sustaining tens of thousands of highly skilled manufacturing and engineering-based jobs across the UK. HMG takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We rigorously assess every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

Trade Agreements

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps the Government is taking to discuss with the devolved administrations the way in which future trade deals will apply to different parts of the UK.

George Hollingbery: Holding answer received on 12 November 2018



As set out in our Trade White Paper, we are committed to working closely with the devolved administrations on their role in future trade agreements and have ongoing discussions, at both Ministerial and Official level, to ensure that we have a trade policy which works for the whole of the UK. Although it is currently not possible to engage with Northern Irish Ministers, DIT Officials continue to engage with officials in both the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Civil Service, in the same way they do for Scotland and Wales. For example, our Second Permanent Secretary recently visited Belfast where he chaired a business roundtable on future trade agreements ensuring that Northern Ireland’s interests are accounted for.

Department for International Trade: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the quantity was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what was the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by the his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

George Hollingbery: The Department for International Trade was formed on 14 July 2016. The table below provides details of the quantity and cost of electricity and natural gas used by the department during 2017/18 (the first full year of operation). Electricity consumption (mWh)1,766Cost (£)176,449**Gas consumption (mWh)483Cost (£)79,313** **The financial cost figures exclude the department’s share of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) London premises at King Charles Street, and our share of FCO’s International Offices. Additionally, data for all of our UK regional offices at which we are a minor occupier is not reported or invoiced separately, and therefore are not included in these figures. Disaggregated costs for electricity and gas for buildings managed by the FCO and our other major government occupiers are not held centrally.

Overseas Trade

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans his Department has to develop trade links with countries outside the EU in the next five years.

George Hollingbery: Holding answer received on 15 November 2018



Half of the UK’s trade is already with the rest of the world, outside of the EU, and it is important for the future of the UK, that we look to where the growing parts of the world economy are, such as Asia. The Government is preparing for an ambitious programme of trade negotiations and enhanced market access, including potentially opening a series of formal negotiations for new free trade agreements with the United States, Australia and New Zealand; and scoping possible UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We have completed 14-week long public consultations on each of these three potential future trade agreement negotiations and on the UK’s possible accession to the CPTPP. While we are looking to forge new agreements, the Government is also seeking continuity for our existing EU free trade agreements as we leave the European Union. These give us the platform to build and strengthen our already-successful trading relationships with existing countries. In addition, we are building stronger relationships with large economies – such as China, India, and Brazil – through a series of Joint Trade Reviews.

Palm Oil: Imports

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what meetings he has had with companies that source palm oil in their supply chain as part of preparing for future trade deals after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery: Holding answer received on 15 November 2018



My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade regularly meets with stakeholders including businesses to understand their views on our future trade policy. Palm oil is a commodity commonly sourced in food and other industry supply chains so this information could only be gathered at disproportionate cost to the taxpayer.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Supported Housing: Older People

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help older people on low incomes who need supported accommodation.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government values the important role supported housing plays in enabling vulnerable, older people to live independently. In England, my Department, along with the Department for Health and Social Care, provides capital grant funding to supported housing providersto promote development of increased supply of sheltered and supported housing for rent in the social housing sector at subsidised levels and also for low cost home ownership including Older Persons’ Shared Ownership. Social housing, including supported and sheltered housing in the social sector, is prioritised for people in identified housing need, including those who have medical and welfare needs. Older residents of sheltered, extra-care and other supported housing on low incomes may be eligible for Housing Benefit to help with rental costs. This is a means tested benefit so if they are on a low income this will be reflected in how much Housing Benefit they might receive. In addition, they may also be eligible for other income support through the welfare system.

Fracking: Lancashire

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of planning permission breaches at the Preston New Road Shale gas site since the commencement of exploratory drilling.

Kit Malthouse: The Department does not record centrally the number of breaches of planning control that may have occurred at any particular development site. Enforcement action against any suspected breaches of planning control is a matter for local planning authorities. Local authorities who wish to take enforcement action against breaches of planning control can bid for resources from the Department’s £1.6 million shale support funding scheme.

Sleeping Rough: Private Rented Housing

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to support landlords in the private rented sector to let to people with a history of rough sleeping.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: On 10 October we launched the Private Rented Sector Access Fund which makes available £20 million for schemes that will help landlords in the private rented sector let to people who are, or at risk of becoming homeless and sleeping rough. In the rough sleeping strategy, published in August, we committed to deliver the Rapid Rehousing Pathway. This includes support for both increased tenancy sustainment support for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping and funding for local lettings agencies to strengthen relationships between landlords and tenants.

Non-domestic Rates

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the business rates relief for properties announced in Budget 2018 will apply to premises in planning use class D2.

Rishi Sunak: At the Budget the Government announced a one third discount off business rate bills for high streets and town centres worth almost £900 million. The discount will be available, subject to state aid, to retail properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 such as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments. We will publish guidance shortly to help local authorities determine eligibility and implement the discount.Since 2016 the Government has announced a raft of measures to support business, including permanently doubling Small Business Rate Relief from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for eligible businesses, and raising the threshold for 100 per cent relief from £6,000 to £12,000. As a result, over 655,000 small businesses – occupiers of a third of all properties – pay no business rates at all. In addition, the Government brought forward to April 2018 the switch in the annual indexation of business rates from RPI to the main measure of inflation, currently CPI, which will be a saving for all ratepayers.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that a claimant will not receive less money in benefits as a result of moving to universal credit under the managed migration process.

Alok Sharma: Welfare claimants whose circumstances remain the same will not see their benefit entitlement reduced as a direct result of being moved on to Universal Credit through managed migration, as they will receive transitional protection. This will ensure that claimants who are managed migrated will have total entitlement to Universal Credit that is at least as great had been their total entitlement to existing benefits at the point they are migrated, so safeguarding their benefit entitlement until their circumstances change. Claimants whose entitlement is less in Universal Credit than their legacy entitlement will receive transitional protection to ensure their benefit allowance remains the same at the point of transition. The other claimants who are migrated onto Universal Credit as part of managed migration will receive the same or an increased entitlement as they receive on legacy benefits. Additionally, we have announced that Tax Credits claimants with capital in excess of the £16,000 capital threshold will now receive a 12-month grace period during which they can receive transitional protection if eligible. We have also announced that, from 16 January 2019, we will prevent those claimants who are, or have been within the past month entitled to an award of an existing benefit that includes a Severe Disability Premium (SDP), from naturally migrating to Universal Credit following a change of circumstances. These claimants will continue to receive the relevant legacy benefit(s) appropriate to their change of circumstance and will only move to Universal Credit via managed migration (and therefore be eligible to transitional protection), safeguarding their existing benefit entitlement. We will also provide both an on-going monthly payment to eligible claimants who have already lost the SDP as a consequence of moving to Universal Credit and an additional monthly payment to cover the period since they moved. Eligibility for these payments will depend on a number of criteria being satisfied, which include whether the basic qualifying conditions for SDP continue to be met.

Universal Credit: Separation

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether there is provision in place to equalise universal credit entitlement when a couple separates.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department takes to ensure that there is a fair division when recovering advance payments when a couple separate.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department take steps to ensures that the remaining claimant of universal credit is not held fully responsible for unpaid advance payments when a couple separates.

Alok Sharma: When a couple separates and still require the support of Universal Credit they will claim separately and as such the two claimants will be treated as entirely separate claims and will have their entitlements and therefore award amounts treated accordingly. If an advance has been awarded to a couple and the couple subsequently separate, they will be equally liable to repay the advance. When a couple separates, and an advance has not been recovered from the associated benefit claim because the claim ends or there was no entitlement to that benefit, the outstanding balance is treated as if it were an overpayment. This would then be recoverable (as per Section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992) at the standard overpayment rate. After separation, if a couple have an overpayment for which they are both equally liable, the debt is apportioned equally. Once this apportionment has been done we will not reverse the split liability decision. Any debt for which only one member of a couple is liable will follow that person on separation.

Universal Credit: Scotland

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government news release of 1 October 2018 entitled Citizens Advice to provide support to Universal Credit claimants, how much funding she plans to allocate to Citizens Advice in Scotland to provide that support; and what plans she has to provide funding for areas that do not have a Citizens Advice office.

Alok Sharma: For Citizens Advice Scotland the grant award is £1,323,412 in 2018/19 and £4,085,919 in 2019/20. Citizens Advice Scotland is committed to providing a Universal Support service across Scotland

Universal Credit: West Midlands

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people her Department plans to migrate from employment support allowance to universal credit in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Birmingham, Edgbaston in (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21, (iii) 2021-22 and (iv) 2022-23.

Alok Sharma: The requested information is not available by constituency or region.

Unemployment

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of workless households in (a) Crawley constituency and (b) England.

Justin Tomlinson: The Office for National Statistics use the Labour Force Survey to provide estimates for workless households in the UK. However, the percentage and number of workless households in Crawley are unavailable due to small sample sizes. For April-June 2018, there were 331,000 workless households in the South East region, which was 11.8% of households in the region. For April-June 2018, there were 2,391,000 workless households in England, which was 13.7% of all English households.

Department for Work and Pensions: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the quantity was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) her Department, (ii) the Health and Safety Executive, (iii) the Pensions Advisory Service and (iv) the Pensions Regulator in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Justin Tomlinson: Please see below electricity & gas usage for 2015/16, 2016/17 & 2017/18. (i) DWP Please note that 6 day opening began in 2017/18 in some areas, but has not yet been fully rolled out. To date, 6 day opening does not seem to have had a major impact on consumption or cost of energy per FTE. DWP energy figures are based on total consumption taken from the invoices that DWP is responsible for paying. Consumption and cost figures have then been divided by total FTE figures for the estate in each year. Please note that no adjustment has been made for recharging where there are sub-tenants within buildings DWP occupies, or for buildings at which DWP is recharged, and we do not have the facility to make that adjustment at present. YearElectricity kWh / FTEGas kWh / FTEFTE Total2015-1618672308757422016-1718322452755902017-181806245975065  (i) Health and Safety Executive Data based on HSE’s 28 offices, including HSE’s laboratory in Buxton. Where HSE does not know specific consumption from some of its Landlords /Holding Departments, and where HSE has government tenants whose consumption is not separately sub-metered, figures are estimated.  YearElectricity kWhGas kWh2015-1612,051,31713,138,9232016-1712,337,28813,896,0812017-1811,763,81013,849,043 (ii) The Pensions Advisory Service In a shared building, where they share the service charge & payments are made centrally. YearElectricity kWhGas kWh2015-16No information heldNo information held.2016-17No information held.No information held.2017-18No information held.No information held. (iii) The Pensions Regulator YearElectricity £Gas £2015-16Not available at this timeNot available at this time2016-17Not available at this timeNot available at this time2017-18Not available at this timeNot available at this time

Department for Work and Pensions: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) her Department, (ii) the Health and Safety Executive, (iii) the Pensions Advisory Service and (iv) the Pensions Regulator in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Justin Tomlinson: Please see below electricity & gas cost for 2015/16, 2016/17 & 2017/18. (i) DWP Please note that 6 day opening began in 2017/18 in some areas, but has not yet been fully rolled out. To date, 6 day opening does not seem to have had a major impact on consumption or cost of energy per FTE. DWP energy figures are based on total consumption taken from the invoices that DWP is responsible for paying. Consumption and cost figures have then been divided by total FTE figures for the estate in each year. Please note that no adjustment has been made for recharging where there are sub-tenants within buildings DWP occupies, or for buildings at which DWP is recharged, and we do not have the facility to make that adjustment at present. YearElectricity £ / FTEGas £ / FTEFTE Total2015-16£ 256£ 79757422016-17£ 257£ 78755902017-18£ 256£ 7875065 (ii) HSE Data based on HSE’s 28 offices, including HSE’s laboratory in Buxton. Where HSE does not know specific consumption from some of its Landlords /Holding Departments, and where HSE has government tenants whose consumption is not separately sub-metered, figures are estimated. YearElectricity £Gas £2015-16£1,381,532£443,0712016-17£1,373,438£369,2362017-18£1,339,724£349,858(iii) The Pensions Advisory Service In a shared building, where costs are estimated YearElectricity £Gas £2015-16£21,000£8,0002016-17£17,000£6,5002017-18£16,000£7,800  (iv) The Pensions Regulator YearElectricityGas £2015-16£125,318£7,3372016-17£133,383£5,4852017-18£133,961£5,434

Access to Work Programme

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money her Department has spent promoting Access to Work in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18.

Sarah Newton: As part of our continued campaign, we are engaging with key influencers such as employers and health professionals, as well as claimants. We work with stakeholders and advisory groups to raise awareness of Access to Work and are working with Remploy and Ingeus to promote, and increase take up of the Mental Health Support Service. In addition, our Jobcentre partnership managers continue to engage with local stakeholders and partners to promote the support available. Access to Work is also promoted to a range of business leaders through the Disability Confident scheme. Most of the resource used for this activity, carried out by DWP staff or by partners, is not accounted for separately. In the three years specified, marketing spend on Access to Work was as listed below: Year Spend2015/16 £3,9602016/17 £13,4572017/18 £17,635

Universal Credit: Disability

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of disabled people who will be naturally migrated to universal credit and lose access to transitional protection as a result of changes in the date for managed migration.

Alok Sharma: Managed migration will commence in July 2019 and up to 10,000 claimants will be migrated as part of the testing period, which will ensure that we can move claimants smoothly when we begin to migrate higher volumes of claimants. As such, we have not yet settled on a detailed plan for the managed migration process beyond 2020, including the order in which we will move cases over. It is not possible therefore to provide an accurate estimate at this stage beyond those set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in their latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook publication. There are provisions in the draft Universal Credit (Managed Migration) 2018 regulations laid on 5 November, which prevent claimants in receipt of the Severe Disability Premium from migrating naturally to Universal Credit, and so these vulnerable claimants will not be moved to Universal Credit until they qualify for transitional protection. In addition, the draft regulations also make provision for an on-going payment to claimants who have already lost this premium as a consequence of moving to Universal Credit and an additional payment to cover the period since they moved. The benefits for disabled claimants in these regulations are, however, subject to parliamentary approval. Overall, many disabled people will be better off on Universal Credit as it provides a higher level of support for the most severely disabled people than the benefits it replaces.

Universal Credit

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the same claimant data sharing arrangements under universal support currently extended to local authorities will be extended to the Citizens Advice network when the delivery of that service moves to Citizens Advice in April 2019.

Alok Sharma: Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland are designing their new service at present ready to begin delivery in April 2019, and that includes developing specifications to access the data that they need in order to deliver.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to include vets on the shortage occupation list.

David Rutley: On the 15th June the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) accepted a commission from the Home Secretary to review the full composition of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for the first time since 2013. The SOL covers non-EEA migration for highly skilled roles. The MAC will report in spring 2019. In the meantime Defra continues to work closely with other Government Departments, including the Home Office, to ensure a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce, including veterinarians, as part of the future immigration policy.

Pets: Imports

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes to the rabies regime he plans for domestic pets crossing the UK's borders in the event that the UK leaves the EU.

David Rutley: The Government has no immediate plans to change the rabies regime in the short term following the UK’s departure from the EU. For entry into the UK the current pet travel health requirements will continue to apply, although additional controls could be considered at a later date The UK harmonised with the EU Pet Travel Scheme (PTS) rules in 2012. In 2011 we made an assessment of the risk of rabies introduction to the UK. This assessment concluded that the risk of an animal with rabies entering the UK under the PTS was very low. Since then, there have been no cases of rabies in pets entering the UK under the PTS. However, the Government continues to monitor the disease situation and will undertake a further formal risk assessment if evidence indicates that one is warranted. When the UK leaves the EU it will be a third country. This means pet animals entering the EU from the UK would need to continue to follow the rules of the PTS. On 24 September this year a Technical Notice ‘Taking your pet abroad if there’s no Brexit deal’ was issued. On 6 November the Government issued follow up guidance and advice on Pet travel to Europe after Brexit in the unlikely event that the UK becomes an unlisted third country.

Agriculture

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is his Department is taking to ensure agricultural policy across the constituent parts of the UK does not distort market prices within the UK.

George Eustice: Following the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) communique on 16 October 2017, on agreed principles, Defra and the devolved administrations started discussions in November 2017 on where a common approach or framework may be needed. Officials have met several times since then to discuss the internal market in relation to the agriculture sector. We intend to have in place an administrative framework for co-ordinating agricultural support spending and changes to marketing standards to ensure effective co-ordination and dialogue between the administrations on how any changes to policy in one part of the UK may affect other parts.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the quantity was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) his Department, (ii) the Forestry Commission, (iii) the Water Services Regulation Authority, (iv) the Animal and Plant Health Agency, (v) the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (vi) the Rural Payments Agency, (vii) the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (viii) the Consumer Council for Water, (ix) the Environment Agency, (x) the Marine Management Organisation and (xi) Natural England in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what was the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by  (i) his Department, (ii) the Forestry Commission, (iii) the Water Services Regulation Authority, (iv) the Animal and Plant Health Agency, (v) the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (vi) the Rural Payments Agency, (vii) the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (viii) the Consumer Council for Water, (ix) the Environment Agency, (x) the Marine Management Organisation and (xi) Natural England in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

George Eustice: Defra Group Energy usage and total cost is published each year as part of our Annual Report and Accounts: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defras-annual-report-and-accounts-2017-to-2018 Table 1, attached, is an extract of the sustainability section and is our Greening Government Commitment performance which includes the following bodies: Core DefraForestry Commission (England only)Animal and Plant Health AgencyCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture ScienceRural Payments AgencyVeterinary Medicines DirectorateEnvironment AgencyMarine Management OrganisationNatural EnglandKew Gardens The costs cited include the costs of energy and non-energy related costs such as meter reading fees, regulatory charges etc. The Water Services Regulation Authority and the Consumer Council for Water are below exemption criteria for reporting this information under the Greening Government Commitments: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/585344/greening-government-commitments-overview-reporting-requirements-2016-2020.pdf 



Table 1 for PQs 188851 188852
(Excel SpreadSheet, 14.53 KB)

Dogs: Imports

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Dogs Trust report entitled Puppy Smuggling - When will this cruel trade end?, whether his Department plans to (a) reintroduce rabies blood testing and (b) extend the wait period for puppies before they can enter the UK from the EU after the UK has left the EU.

David Rutley: Defra takes the threat to public and animal health posed by animals entering the United Kingdom (UK) very seriously and requires rabies vaccination for pet animals (cats, dogs and ferrets) entering the country, as well as other high risk species entering zoos or pets destined for the pet trade. Pet travel between EU member states and from some other lower risk third countries requires a rabies vaccination followed by a 21 day waiting period. For third countries with higher rabies risk, stricter rules apply involving a rabies antibody titration test and waiting period. A quantitative risk assessment was carried out in 2011, which assessed the risk of a pet animal with rabies entering the UK under the EU Pet Travel Scheme (PTS) as very low. Since then, there have been no rabies incursions in the UK, but Defra continues to monitor the disease situation and will undertake a further formal risk assessment if evidence indicates that one is warranted. The Government has no immediate plans to change the rabies regime in the short term after the UK’ leaves the EU. For entry into the UK the current pet travel health requirements will continue to apply, although additional controls could be considered at a later date.

Moorland: Fire Prevention

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to respond to the European Commission’s infraction procedure on the protection of European blanket bogs from burning in northern England; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The UK has responded to the European Commission’s reasoned opinion of April 2017. A short press release on the reasoned opinion is available on the Commission website. We do not comment on on-going infraction procedures and as such are unable to provide further detail at this time.

Veterinary Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to secure continuity of supply of veterinary medicines for pets in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

David Rutley: We are working with the animal medicines industry to ensure that supplies of veterinary medicines remain available in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. We intend to minimise any additional regulatory burdens on industry as a result of leaving the EU.

Home Office

Drugs: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to his Department's Drugs Strategy, published in July 2017, whether a (a) National Recovery Champion and (b) Steering Committee has been appointed; and if he will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to preventing drug use in our communities and supporting people through treatment and recovery and we expect to make an announcement about the Recovery Champion in due course.We have established a Drug Strategy Board which includes representation from Government departments and wider partners who are critical to the successful delivery of the Strategy, including those in education, health, criminal justice, housing and employment. The Board is chaired by the Home Secretary and its purpose is to oversee and drive implementation of the commitments in the 2017 Drug Strategy. The Board has met twice since the Drug Strategy was published, the next meeting will take place in early November.

Drugs: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress he has made on the implementation of his Department's Drug Strategy, published in July 2017.

Victoria Atkins: Nationally, the Government is already delivering a range of actions through the 2017 Drug Strategy to prevent drug misuse in our communities, support people to recover from dependence on drugs, and support enforcement partners to tackle the illicit drug trade.We have established a Home Secretary-chaired Board which includes representation from Government departments and wider partners that are critical to drive implementation of the commitments in the 2017 Drug Strategy.However, we recognise there is still further to go to tackle the problems caused by drugs, which is why the Home Secretary recently announced an independent review of drugs. The review will provide an in-depth assessment of some of the challenges we face and identify where there are opportunities to step up our approach.

Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of religious institutions on the places of worship security funding scheme in the last three years.

Victoria Atkins: The Places of Worship security funding scheme is a key Home Office commitment in the Hate Crime Action Plan.Officials have actively promoted the scheme visiting mosques, gurdwaras, churches and temples, as well as attending faith-based roundtables. In addition, the scheme uses an Independent Advisory Panel, consisting of representatives from the Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu faiths, to assess applications.

Prostitution: Research

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2018 to Question 175782 on Prostitution, to list the institutions that tendered unsuccessfully for funding to carry out research into the nature and prevalence of prostitution in England and Wales.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2018 to Question 175781 on Prostitution, if he will publish the assurances given by the Centre for Gender and Violence Research during the tendering process that their research would satisfy the criteria for the research project to be conducted in an impartial manner.

Victoria Atkins: The Home Office is unable to list the institutions that tendered unsuccessfully for funding to carry out research into the nature and prevalence of prostitution in England and Wales. This is commercially sensitive information owned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, who formally commissioned the research. Equally, the research application itself is commercially sensitive and belongs to the University of Bristol. It is for them to decide whether to publish information within it.During the application process, a question on approach to conducting the research in an impartial manner was given the highest weighting in scoring. The University of Bristol has therefore set out in detail how they will ensure ideological neutrality in their approach to this work.

Immigrants: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to his Department’s announcement of 25 October 2018, New fund to support vulnerable EU citizens apply for settled status, whether he has received advice from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) (a) that organisations operating under that fund need to be registered with the OISC to assist with applications in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme unless otherwise exempt or regulated to provide immigration advice and (b) on what levels of competence organisations operating under that fund should have.

Caroline Nokes: We are working very closely with The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) to make this work for genuine voluntary organisations and community groups that want to help EU citizens and their family members.All organisations placing bids will need to be aware of the level of OISC registration that they may require in line with the services they are proposing to provide in supporting vulnerable persons applying under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Home Office: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the quantity was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) his Department and (ii) the College of Policing in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Victoria Atkins: The information requested for (i) the Department, and (ii) the College of Policing is set out in the table at annex A.A breakdown of costs between electricity and natural gas for the College of Policing is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.The Home Office is committed to delivering a sustainable government estate and has reduced its carbon emissions by 42% since 2009-10.Consumption and costs of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas by (i) the Home Office and (ii) College of Policing  2015-162016-172017-18 Electricity Consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Electricity consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Electricity Consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Home Office71,2993,505,88068,8887,262,60867,2675,983,572College of Policing3,405 3,406 3,477  Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Home Office51,8074,335,53651,460(202,248)49,013736,436College of Policing3,429 3,303 3,767 Notes:Electricity and gas consumption for the Home Office includes electricity and gas consumption for the College of Policing.The credit in 2016-17 for Home Office costs is a reversal of a prior year’s accrual.Costs for the College of Policing broken down between electricity and gas could only be obtained at disproportionate costConsumption figures have been rounded to mwh

Home Office: Energy

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) his Department and (ii) the College of Policing in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Victoria Atkins: The information requested for (i) the Department, and (ii) the College of Policing is set out in the table at annex A.A breakdown of costs between electricity and natural gas for the College of Policing is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.The Home Office is committed to delivering a sustainable government estate and has reduced its carbon emissions by 42% since 2009-10.Consumption and costs of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas by (i) the Home Office and (ii) College of Policing   2015-162016-172017-18 Electricity Consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Electricity consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Electricity Consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Home Office71,2993,505,88068,8887,262,60867,2675,983,572College of Policing3,405 3,406 3,477  Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Gas consumption (mWh)Cost (£)Home Office51,8074,335,53651,460(202,248)49,013736,436College of Policing3,429 3,303 3,767 Notes:Electricity and gas consumption for the Home Office includes electricity and gas consumption for the College of Policing.The credit in 2016-17 for Home Office costs is a reversal of a prior year’s accrual.Costs for the College of Policing broken down between electricity and gas could only be obtained at disproportionate costConsumption figures have been rounded to mwh

Visas: Overseas Students

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many international students obtained a Tier 4 visa in (a) 2017-18, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2015-16, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2013-14 academic years; and how many of those students came from a nation registered in Appendix H of the Immigration Rules.

Caroline Nokes: Information on grants of Tier 4 entry clearance visas, by nationality, is published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, Visas data tables volume 3, table vi_06_q_s, latest edition at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-june-2018/list-of-tables#visasInformation relating to July to September (Q3) 2018 is planned to be published on 29 November.

Visas: Overseas Students

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department recognises any categories beyond compliant and non-compliant in relation to higher education institutions and Tier 4 student immigration.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the revocation of a Tier 4 licence from a higher education institution effects any other immigration licence that institution may hold.

Caroline Nokes: To obtain and maintain a Tier 4 sponsor licence, institutions must show that all their sites meet acceptable educational quality standards, including both the quality of teaching and the management of the institution. An educational oversight body, which is independent from the Home Office, makes this assessment.A sponsor which fails an educational oversight inspection will not be permitted to sponsor any further Tier 4 students until it achieves a satisfactory rating in a subsequent inspection, but will not have its licence revoked. It will be permitted to continue teaching its current Tier 4 students.Tier 4 sponsors must also pass a Basic Compliance Assessment, which is a mandatory annual check on the compliance rate of a sponsor’s students. If a sponsor fails this check, it will normally have its licence revoked and will therefore not be able to sponsor any further Tier 4 students. There are no other compliance factors relating to Tier 4 sponsors which affect the consideration of Tier 4 immigration applications other than whether the sponsor continues to hold a valid tier 4 licence.If a sponsor’s Tier 4 licence is revoked, the Home Office will consider whether the reasons that led to the revocation affect any other sponsor licence that it holds. Any action taken against the other licence depends on the nature of the compliance issues identified. Such actions may include imposing an action plan to assist the sponsor improve its compliance, or revocation of the licence in serious cases of non-compliance.Each application is assessed on its own merits against the relevant immigration rules and policy.

HM Passport Office: Newport

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has plans to close the Passport Office at Nexus House, Newport.

Caroline Nokes: There are no plans to close the passport office at Nexus House, Newport.

Retail Trade: Crimes of Violence

Graham P Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the National Retail Crime Steering Group has taken to tackle violence in the retail sector.

Victoria Atkins: Any act of violence or abuse against retail staff is a serious matter which is why tackling it is the number one priority issue for the National Retail Crime Steering Group, which I co-chair with the British Retail Consortium.Through this group, we have developed a Violence Reduction Strategy which includes activities to increase reporting of violence and abuse, develop a framework for effective preventative training for retail staff and private security, work with PCCs to raise the priority of this crime type in their policing plans and work with wider Criminal Justice stakeholders to ensure that sentencing guidelines and aggravating thresholds are appropriate.

Treasury

Tax Avoidance

Janet Daby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the 2019 Loan Charge on individuals that had made financial plans on the basis of previous arrangements; and what support he is able to provide to those individuals.

Mel Stride: The charge on disguised remuneration (DR) loans is targeted at artificial tax avoidance schemes where earnings were paid in the form of loans, often made by an offshore third party. These loans are not repaid in practice and so are no different to ordinary income and are, and always have been, taxable. It is unfair to ordinary taxpayers to let anybody continue to benefit from contrived tax avoidance of this sort, and that is why this government has taken action to ensure that everybody pays the taxes they owe. The charge, announced at Budget 2016, will arise on 5 April 2019. By then affected users will have had three years to organise their financial affairs. The Government recognises the charge on DR loans will have a significant impact on some individuals who have used DR schemes, particularly those who used them to avoid the most tax. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are working to help people put things right. HMRC have published a simplified process for DR scheme users to spread payment of the tax they owe over 5 years if their current income is less than £50,000, and they are no longer in avoidance. Those with higher incomes or who need to pay over a longer period can also request extended payment periods, which will be tailored to individual circumstances. Anyone who is worried about being able to pay what they owe should contact HMRC as soon as possible.

Customs

Stewart Hosie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department plans to take to help businesses manage (a) administrative and (b) tariff changes in UK customs after the UK leaves the EU.

Mel Stride: As a responsible Government we continue to prepare for a range of outcomes and we are looking closely at how to ensure that businesses are clear on what they need to do and have the support they need to be as prepared as they can be in the time available, whilst not undermining the benefits of an implementation period. HMRC has already published Technical Notices covering Customs, Excise and VAT procedures, and has written on no deal arrangements to the 145,000 UK business over the VAT threshold, who currently only trade with the EU. Later in the year we intend to provide more information on what businesses should do to prepare.

Air Passenger Duty

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to conduct economic modelling on the effect of air passenger duty on the UK's global connectivity and competitiveness.

Robert Jenrick: Like all taxes, Air Passenger Duty remains under review. The UK aviation sector has demonstrated strong growth and remains competitive with our neighbours.Since 2010 passenger numbers at UK airports have grown by more than 15%. With the exception of Heathrow - which has been constrained due to capacity - the UK’s biggest airports have all achieved growth in line with their EU counterparts since 2010.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Working Hours

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the contracted hours are for the highest paid member of staff in the (a) National Archives, (b) Royal Parks, (c) Arts Council England, (d) Big Lottery Fund, (e) Sport England and (f) Information Commissioner's Office.

Margot James: Senior Civil Servants (SCS) are contracted to work a minimum (over a 5 day week) either 41 or 42 hours, including daily meal breaks for one hour. The new model contracts was introduced on the 1st July 2013, which standardise the working hours to 42 hours which was applicable to all new staff as well as those staff being promoted into or within SCS, from that date forward.

House of Commons Commission

Parliamentary Estate: Breastfeeding

Jo Swinson: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what provision is made on the Parliamentary estate to (a) provide private spaces for expressing milk or feeding and (b) otherwise support breastfeeding mothers on their return to work.

Tom Brake: The House of Commons provides private spaces for expressing milk or feeding in two publicly accessible areas in the Palace of Westminster. The baby care room is located on the Upper Committee Corridor and the Health and Wellbeing space is off the Lower Waiting Hall; the Lower Waiting Hall space is available with agreement from the practice nurse if it is not being used for a medical emergency.In addition, Commons passholders may access the first aid rooms for expressing milk or feeding by contacting the reception teams in the following buildings:• Portcullis House• 1 Parliament Street• Richmond House• Norman Shaw South Tothill Street has a baby care room on the 5th floor.For House of Commons and Parliamentary Digital Service staff, line managers are expected to regularly monitor the working arrangements of an expectant mother or new parent both throughout pregnancy and if the member of staff returns to work within six months after the birth or while feeding.Parents of young children returning to work may make a request for flexible working on either a temporary or permanent basis. Examples of flexible working include part-time working and working from home.The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can provide practical advice and guidance as well as counselling and support on a broad range of issues including family issues and childcare support. From 1 November employees of the House of Commons, PDS and House of Lords, have been able to access this service alongside Members of both Houses and their staff.Further support to families is also available via "My Family Care" which provides a range of practical tools and resources to support parents. The House also provides a workplace nursery and users of the House of Commons nursery also have access to the expressing and feeding facilities in the nursery based in 1 Parliament Street.